Don Zubrod

Donald Peter Zubrod, son of Louis and Louise (Bellinghausen) Zubrod, was born March 8, 1931, at home in Templeton, Iowa and graduated with the Class of 1949. After graduation, Don worked for Oaken Construction until 1952, when he was drafted into the United States Army. He was sent to El Paso, Texas, where he completed radar school.

On May 2, 1953, Don married Joyce Henriksen of Audubon, Iowa, in El Paso, Texas, where he was stationed at the time. The newlyweds lived there for five months before Don was deployed to Greenland, serving as a Radar Technician with an Anti-Aircraft Unit. Following his honorable discharge, Don and Joyce returned to Templeton, where he worked as a carpenter. The couple moved to Manning in 1961.

Don later purchased a TV shop in Manning, and in 1968 he built a new shop on the west edge of town, where he sold televisions, radios, video players, and appliances. He was well known for delivering console TVs to customers throughout the area. Don also owned and operated the local car wash on Highway 141. Both businesses were successful ventures that kept him busy for many years.

Don was known for his ornery spirit. He always had a joke to share, a smile on his face, and a genuine enjoyment for life. In his spare time, he enjoyed visiting with friends, tinkering in his shop, and keeping up with local happenings. He was an avid fisherman and loved to fish, especially when he had the chance to cast a line with family and friends. He loved more than anything to be with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Don was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Parish in Manning and was active in the VFW, Knights of Columbus, the Manning Volunteer Fire Department, and the Manning Planning and Zoning Boards, among others. Don often served as an emcee for local events and was deeply involved in his community.

On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Don passed away at his daughter’s house in rural Manning following a short illness. He was 94 years, 8 months and 25 days of age.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce Zubrod; his sister, Thelma (Jerry) Fox; his brothers, Merlyn Zubrod and Kenny Zubrod; his twin sister, Doris (Allen) Feldmann; and his brother-in-law, Gene Rupiper.

He is survived by his children: Brad (Maureen) Zubrod of Augusta, ME; Craig (Nancy) Zubrod of Runnells; Susan (Dale) Hinners of Manning; Barb (Kenny) Haubrich of Carroll; and Mike (Sheri) Zubrod of Grimes; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; his sister, Carol Rupiper of Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law, Donna Zubrod of Phoenix, AZ and Pat Zubrod of Templeton; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation with family greeting friends will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning, Iowa. The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Manning.